Nueces County Truck Accident & Commercial Vehicle Litigation Guide

The impact was catastrophic. On a busy morning along I-37 or the Harbor Bridge in Nueces County, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your vehicle. In an instant, your car—which weighs barely 4,000 pounds—was crushed. You weren’t just in a car accident; you were in a war zone where the scales were heavily tipped against you. An 18-wheeler is nearly 20 times heavier than a standard car, and when that kind of mass meets a family vehicle at highway speeds, the laws of physics aren’t kind.

If you’re reading this in a hospital bed at a Nueces County medical facility or while caring for a loved one who was recently hit by a commercial vehicle, you know the terror is only beginning. The physical pain is overwhelming, but the sudden arrival of hospital bills and the realization that you can’t go back to work creates a different kind of agony. You need answers, and you need a fighter.

For over 25 years, Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have been that fighter. Since 1998, our founder has gone head-to-head with some of the largest corporations on the planet—including BP and Fortune 500 trucking fleets—and won. We don’t just “handle” cases; we dismantle the defenses of negligent trucking companies. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent the very companies we now sue. He knows their playbook, their valuation software, and exactly how they try to minimize your suffering in Nueces County.

We are currently litigating high-stakes matters like a $10 million lawsuit against a major university, proving we have the resources to take on powerful defendants. Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van, or an oilfield water truck, you deserve an attorney who treats you like family. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7 to start protecting your rights in Nueces County.

Why Nueces County Trucking Accidents are Different

Nueces County sits at a unique crossroads of international trade, industrial production, and tourism. The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere, which means Nueces County roads are saturated with freight 24 hours a day. From the heavy refinement industry along “Refinery Row” to the sand and water trucks feeding the Eagle Ford Shale operations nearby, the commercial traffic here is relentless.

Highways like I-37, US-77, and I-69E act as the arteries of this economy, but they are also the sites of devastating wrecks. A truck driver heading to the Port of Corpus Christi may have been on the road for 14 hours, violating federal safety regulations just to make a delivery window. In the humid heat of a Nueces County summer, tire blowouts become common as rubber meets scorching asphalt at 70 miles per hour. Coastal fog can roll in off the bay in minutes, turning I-37 into a graveyard of twisted metal when a Jackknifed trailer blocks three lanes of traffic.

In Nueces County, you aren’t just dealing with “trucks.” You are sharing the road with:

• Intermodal Container Chassis: Top-heavy loads coming directly from the port terminals.
• Petrochemical Tankers: Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) moving between refineries.
• Oilfield Service Vehicles: Crew transport vans and equipment haulers.
• Corporate Fleets: Branded vehicles from Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS.

When these massive machines cause an accident, the legal process is significantly more complex than a standard car crash. There are 16 different parties that could be liable, from the freight broker in another state to the corporate parent of a delivery fleet. We investigate every angle to ensure Nueces County families get the maximum compensation allowed by law.

49 CFR: Proving Negligence through Federal Regulations

Trucking is a heavily regulated industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). When a truck hits you in Nueces County, we don’t just look at the police report; we look for violations of these federal laws. A violation of an FMCSA regulation is often the “smoking gun” that proves the trucking company was negligent.

Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) – The War Against Fatigue

Fatigue is the quietest killer on Nueces County highways. Under 49 CFR Part 395, property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.

Trucking companies under pressure from global supply chains often encourage their drivers to “fudge” their logs. However, since 2017, those logs are recorded on Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). We subpoena this data immediately. If a driver slammed into the back of your car on US-77 because they were too tired to brake, Part 395 is the foundation of our case against them.

Part 391: Driver Qualification

Not everyone with a driver’s license should be behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound rig. Part 391 requires companies to maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator. This includes road tests, medical examiner certificates, and a deep inquiry into their 3-year driving history. If a company hired a driver with three previous DUIs to drive through Nueces County, that is “Negligent Hiring,” and they can be held liable for punitive damages.

Part 393 & 396: Maintenance and Safety Equipment

Brake failure accounts for nearly 29% of all large truck crashes. Under Part 396, every motor carrier must systematically inspect and maintain their vehicles. If the brakes failed on a truck descending the I-37 interchange because the company deferred maintenance to save money, they violated federal law. We also look for Part 393 violations, such as missing underride guards or lighting that doesn’t meet visibility requirements in Nueces County coastal fog.

Part 382: Controlled Substances and Alcohol

Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard. A BAC of .04 is enough for a DUI under FMCSA rules. Part 382 mandates pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. If a driver was under the influence of stimulants to stay awake while driving through Nueces County, we will find the records to prove it.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao

48-Hour Critical Window: Evidence Preservation in Nueces County

Right now, while you are focusing on recovery, the trucking company that hit you is already working. They have “Rapid Response Teams” of adjusters and lawyers who arrive at Nueces County accident scenes before the debris is even cleared. Their primary goal isn’t to help you; it’s to find ways to make the accident look like YOUR fault.

You have a very short window to protect your rights. This is why we call ourselves “Legal Emergency Lawyers™.”

The Spoliation Letter

The most important thing Attorney911 does in the first 24 hours is send a Spoliation Letter. This is a formal legal demand that the trucking company and its insurer preserve all evidence related to the crash. Without this letter, trucking companies in Nueces County may “accidentally” overwrite the very data that proves their guilt.

ECM and Black Box Data

Almost every modern truck has an Engine Control Module (ECM). Like a plane’s black box, it records exactly what was happening in the seconds before impact:

• Speed at the moment of the crash.
• The exact millisecond the brakes were applied (or if they were applied at all).
• Throttle position (was the driver accelerating?).
• Engine fault codes (did the truck have a mechanical issue?).

In Nueces County, many trucks also use advanced telematics from companies like Samsara or Omnitracs. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. If the data disappears, so does your best evidence.

Multi-Camera Systems

Corporate fleets like Amazon use Netradyne systems with four cameras monitoring the road and the driver. Walmart uses Lytx/DriveCam systems. This footage is definitive proof of distracted driving, cell phone use, or fatigue. But these companies only keep “non-event” footage for a few days. We move fast to lock this evidence down before it is gone forever.

Don’t wait. Black box data can be overwritten. Call 888-ATTY-911 today for a free consultation in Nueces County.

Catastrophic Accident Types on Nueces County Roads

Truck accidents aren’t like car wrecks. They follow specific mechanical patterns called “loss of control events.” We have spent 25 years studying the physics of these crashes to hold carriers accountable.

Port-Related Cargo Spills and Shift

Corpus Christi is a massive export hub. Trucks carrying heavy intermodal containers are prone to cargo shifts. If a loading company at the port failed to secure 40,000 pounds of freight, that cargo can shift during a turn onto I-37. This shifts the truck’s center of gravity, causing a rollover. Under 49 CFR § 393.100, the cargo must be immobilized or secured. If it isn’t, the loading company and the carrier are both liable in Nueces County.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wreck

Perhaps the most terrifying accident in Nueces County is the underride. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the trailer of a truck, often shearing off the roof of the car. These are almost always fatal or result in permanent traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigate whether the truck’s rear impact guard (Mansfield Bar) was defective or if the driver lacked side-underride protection that could have saved your life.

Jackknife Accidents on Wet Nueces County Roads

When the wheels of a tractor lock up while the trailer continues to move forward, the truck “folds” like a pocketknife. This often happens on Nueces County bridges and interchanges during heavy rain. A jackknifed truck can sweep across all lanes of I-37, creating a multi-vehicle pileup. These accidents are often caused by speeding for conditions or improper brake adjustment.

Blind Spot “No-Zone” Crashes

An 18-wheeler has massive blind spots, particularly on its right side. A truck driver in heavy Nueces County traffic who fails to check their mirrors before a lane change can crush a smaller vehicle into a concrete barrier. We use 49 CFR § 393.80 to prove the truck’s mirrors were either missing, broken, or not properly used.

Watch “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc

Oilfield and Industrial Trucking in Nueces County

Nueces County is the logistics heart of the South Texas oil industry. Every day, “South Texas sand haulers” and “crude oil tankers” navigate rural Nueces County roads and highways. These aren’t your typical long-haul drivers; they are industrial workers operating under extreme conditions and brutal schedules.

Frac Sand and Water Haulers

Fracking operations in the regions surrounding Nueces County require thousands of truck trips. Water trucks (produced water tankers) and frac sand haulers are often overloaded and under-maintained. Because fracking runs 24/7, these drivers work 12-to-14-hour shifts on two-lane FM roads that were never built for 80,000-pound loads. The resulting “leap-frog” passing on rural roads leads to devastating head-on collisions.

OSHA vs. FMCSA: The Dual Jurisdiction

If you were injured in a trucking accident on an oilfield worksite in Nueces County, you are dealing with a dual regulatory framework. On the highway, FMCSA applies. On the wellsite, OSHA (29 CFR 1910/1926) takes over. This creates a “workplace vs. highway” liability web. Most firms only know one or the other. We understand the interaction between federal trucking law and OSHA worksite safety.

The Independent Contractor Defense

Oil companies love to say, “That wasn’t our driver; he was a contractor.” Companies like Amazon and FedEx Ground use this same tactic. In Nueces County, we use the “Right-to-Control” test to pierce that shield. If the oil company controlled the driver’s route, schedule, and safety protocols, the oil company is the employer under the law—and they have the millions in insurance to pay for your injuries.

Injured in an oilfield crash near Nueces County? Call (888) 288-9911 for an attorney who knows the oil patch.

Corporate Giants: Taking on Walmart, Amazon, and Beyond

Nueces County families shouldn’t have to fight Fortune 500 companies alone. Branded trucks carry more than just freight; they carry massive corporate liability.

Walmart Truck Accidents

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world. Unlike most trucking companies, Walmart drivers are usually direct employees. This means Walmart is directly responsible for their negligence. Because Walmart is self-insured, they have their own internal claims department in Bentonville, Arkansas, that will try to lowball you before you even know the extent of your injuries. Ralph Manginello has gone head-to-head with Walmart-sized defendants and won.

Amazon Delivery Van Accidents

The blue Amazon vans you see on every Nueces County street are often operated by “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs). Amazon claims they aren’t responsible when a DSP driver hits a pedestrian or cyclist in Nueces County. We disagree. Amazon monitors every second of that driver’s shift through the Mentor app and Netradyne cameras. They set the delivery quotas that pressure drivers to speed. We work to hold Amazon accountable for the dangerous conditions THEIR system created.

FedEx and UPS: The Contractor Maze

FedEx Ground drivers are almost always contractors, while UPS drivers are usually direct union employees. This distinction changes every aspect of your Nueces County lawsuit. We know how to find the layers of insurance—often $5 million to $50 million—that these companies try to hide behind independent contractor labels.

Beyond the Big Rig: Dump Trucks, Buses, and Rental Trucks

“Truck accident” in Nueces County doesn’t just mean 18-wheelers. Any vehicle used for business purposes brings commercial liability.

• Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers: These are among the heaviest vehicles on the road (up to 70,000 lbs). Overloading is endemic in the construction boom around Robstown and Bishop. When an overloaded dump truck loses its load or its brakes on the Crosstown Expressway, the results are catastrophic.
• Garbage/Waste Trucks: Frequent backing and massive blind spots make garbage trucks incredibly dangerous in Nueces County residential areas. These are often owned by municipal governments or massive corporations like Waste Management, each requiring different legal strategies.
• Rental Trucks (U-Haul/Penske): The “No CDL Required” danger. U-Haul puts 26,000-pound trucks into the hands of people who have never driven anything larger than a sedan. If the rental company failed to maintain the truck or rented to an obviously unqualified driver, they share the blame for your crash in Nueces County.
• Public Transit and School Buses: Accidents involving the RTA or school district buses involve “Sovereign Immunity.” In Texas, there are strict caps and VERY short 180-day deadlines to file a “Notice of Claim.” If you wait until after the 180 days, your case is dead, no matter how bad the injuries.

Catastrophic Injuries and Their Impact on Nueces County Families

A truck accident doesn’t just cause a “fender bender.” It changes your life geography. We see the most devastating injuries imaginable:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The violent snap of a head hitting a window or the rapid deceleration of a brain hitting the skull in a rear-end collision causes “Axial Shearing.” Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements ($1.5M – $9.8M range) for TBI victims. We know that a “mild concussion” can lead to permanent cognitive loss, personality changes, and the inability to ever work again in Nueces County.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

When an 18-wheeler rolls onto a passenger car, the roof often crushes the occupants. This axial loading destroys vertebrae. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the lifetime cost of care can exceed $25 million. We work with life care planners to ensure your settlement covers everything: 24/7 nursing, home modifications, and adaptive technology.

Traumatic Amputation

Being trapped in a crushed vehicle on a Nueces County highway can lead to the loss of a limb. We’ve secured multi-million dollar recoveries for amputation victims, accounting for the massive cost of lifetime prosthetic replacement and the deep psychological trauma of disfigurement.

Wrongful Death

If the trucking company’s greed cost your loved one their life, “sorry” isn’t enough. We pursue wrongful death claims to provide for the families left behind. Texas law allows for the recovery of lost earnings, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements ($1.9M – $9.5M) for families who lost everything to a negligent trucker.

Watch “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ

Understanding Your Claims: Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Nueces County juries are shown the cold, hard numbers of your loss, but they also need to understand the human cost.

• Economic Damages: These are easy to count. They include the $100,000 ER bill from a Nueces County hospital, the three future surgeries you need, and the $50,000 in salary you’ve already missed.
• Non-Economic Damages: This is the most contested part of a Nueces County lawsuit. How much is it worth to never be able to pick up your grandchild again? What is the price of constant, 24/7 back pain from a herniated disc? Lupe Peña’s defense background is essential here—he knows how insurers use “Colossus” software to undervalue your pain, and he knows how to break their algorithm.
• Punitive Damages: If the trucking company intentionally broke federal law or acted with “gross negligence,” we may seek punitive damages. These aren’t just for you; they are designed to punish the company and prevent them from hurting another Nueces County family.

Nueces County Truck Accident FAQ

1. How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Nueces County?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, if you are suing a government entity (like an RTA bus), you must file a formal notice of claim within 6 months (180 days). Waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears long before the 2-year deadline.

2. What if the truck driver says I was at fault?
Texas uses “Modified Comparative Negligence” (the 51% bar). As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages in Nueces County. However, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury says you were 20% responsible because of a lane change, and the trucker was 80% responsible for speeding, you get 80% of your award.

3. Does Attorney911 offer Spanish-language services?
Yes. Hablamos Español. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without the need for interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis en su propio idioma.

4. How much does a truck accident lawyer cost in Nueces County?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay us NOTHING out of pocket. We only get paid if we win your case. Our standard pre-trial fee is 33.33%, and it moves to 40% if the case goes to trial. We advance all costs for experts, black box downloads, and accident reconstruction. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

5. What is an MCS-90 endorsement?
This is a federal safety net. If a trucking company’s policy is technically void (for example, if they lied to their insurer), the MCS-90 endorsement guarantees that at least the federal minimum ($750K) is available to pay the victim. We are experts in accessing this coverage when other firms give up.

6. Can I sue for a truck accident if I’m undocumented?
Yes. In Nueces County and throughout Texas, your immigration status does not bar you from seeking justice in a personal injury or wrongful death case. The court’s job is to look at the negligence of the trucker, not your background.

7. Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
The insurance company doesn’t pay as you go—they pay at the very end. This is a common point of stress for Nueces County families. We help our clients find doctors who work on “Letters of Protection” (LOPs), meaning they will treat you now and wait to be paid from your final settlement.

Justice for Nueces County Families: Attorney911

When an 80,000-pound truck changes your life forever, you don’t just need a lawyer; you need a powerhouse team that knows the industry inside and out. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been taking on corporate giants and winning multi-million dollar results. We have handled some of the most complex industrial and trucking cases in Texas history, from the BP refinery disaster to catastrophic 18-wheeler wrongful death claims.

We are ready to fight for you in Nueces County. Whether you were hit on I-37, the Harbor Bridge, or a lease road in the brush country, we will find the truth, preserve the evidence, and force the insurance companies to pay what you are owed.

You aren’t a case number to us. You are family. As Donald Wilcox put it, “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Ready to start your fight? Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. Our Nueces County trucking accident specialists are standing by 24/7. No fee unless we win. No upfront costs. Just justice.

Hablamos Español. Llame al (888) ATTY-911.